The board had already discussed Holcombe’s candidacy. He was president of Broward College for 17 years and chancellor of the college system for four years. FSCJ Provost Judith Bilsky, who was named acting president should Wallace be absent before he leaves, floated Holcombe as a candidate in October.

Trustees did not discuss Holcombe’s qualifications, but they heard from a consultant who interviewed his references.

In his last meeting, trustee Jim McCollum moved to hire the former chancellor. McCollum notified Gov. Rick Scott in October that he did not want to be reappointed to the board and that he planned to leave by January.

Following the unanimous vote, Yates said the board did not talk about Holcombe because his reputation precedes him.

“He’s so well known in the state,” Yates said. “Many cabinet members have worked with him. Some of the trustees know him. Most of the people here knew that. I think the faculty senate is pleased with that.”

Consultant and former college chancellor Jeff Hockaday conducted the search for FSCJ and recommended Holcombe plus two others: Larry Durrence, past president of Polk State College in Winter Haven, and Charles “Chick” Dassance, former president College of Central Florida in Ocala. None attended Tuesday’s Board of Trustees meeting.

FSCJ paid Hockaday $20,000 for the search.

Before selecting Holcombe as their top choice, trustees presented Wallace with a framed collage of photos — including him posing with presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, former Gov. Charlie Crist and Mayor Alvin Brown — and gave him a standing ovation at what was his last meeting. He left shortly after the discussion to hire his interim replacement began.

Don't you know? The college loves to throw away the taxpayers money. How many millions has the Wallace/Green team cost us to date? It's not over ... Green has filed a lawsuit, and Wallace will milk the system for all it's worth.

The students, faculty, and dedicated staff will suffer the most. There are those who deserve to go to prison, but thanks to Board members like Suanne Thamm, they get a million bucks.

Certainly not the direction I hoped for. But not surprised that someone as deep in the entitlement system known as the state college system would be given the job. It shows me the board is not really interested in any real change. Especially when the chief thief gets a standing ovation. The good ole boy network is alive and well.

And somebody paid some other insider $20,000 to search for candidates and this is what he came up with. But hey, what is $20,000 to these people? The same result could have been achieved with a little notice on a bulletin board.